APC leader denies rift with Tinubu

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu
| credits: File copy

The Chairman, United Muslims Council, Lagos State and state leader of the All Progressives Congress, Mufutau Hamzat, has denied reports that there is a rift between him and a national leader of the party and former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu.

Speaking at his residence in Lagos on Friday, Hamzat said it was untrue that he was planning to mobilise Islamic clerics and Muslims to protest against Tinubu’s alleged imposition of a former Accountant-General of the state, Akinwunmi Ambode, as the next governor of the state.

He said the report was nothing but the evil machination of fifth columnists, which were out to destroy the cordial relationship and the mutual respect that existed between him and Tinubu. He added that the report was also to cause disaffection in the party ahead of the 2015 elections in the state.

He said, “The issue for the agitation for a Christian governor in the state came up. I told them that the best thing was for a delegation to be set up to meet Asiwaju Tinubu and Governor Babatunde Fashola on the matter and listen to them, so that we don’t rely on rumours.”

The APC chieftain said it was wrong to say the meeting , which he organised in his capacity as a religious leader, was aimed at mobilising Muslims to protest against Tinubu.

“In fact, the first thing I did at the meeting was to call on Imams at the meeting to pray for Asiwaju Tinubu and Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, and they obliged, praying for good health and longevity of life.

“Some people are just jealous of the mutual respect and cordial relationship existing between us and they are bent on destroying it for their selfish end,” Hamzat stated